Seismic Sequence Vulnerability of Low-Rise Special Moment-Resisting Frame Buildings with Brick Infills

Abstract

When buildings are exposed to earthquake sequence, damage aggravation is expected to occur. Although several studies report seismic vulnerability of reinforced concrete (RC) buildings under the mainshock–aftershock sequence, indicating damage aggravation due to aftershock, none, to the best of our knowledge, quantifies seismic vulnerability of buildings under foreshock–mainshock–aftershock sequences. Since foreshock–mainshock–aftershock sequences are also expected in many active seismic regions, we aim to quantify the level of vulnerability under seismic sequences considering the seismically highly active Himalayan region as the case study location. Fragility functions are derived considering foreshock, foreshock–mainshock sequence, and foreshock–mainshock–aftershock sequence for a low-rise special moment-resisting frame (SMRF) building that represents a typical low-rise owner-built construction system in Nepal, one of the most active seismic regions in the world. The results highlight that the foreshock significantly increases seismic vulnerability of the structures with respect to the often-considered case of a mainshock–aftershock sequence.